L to R: Colonel “Cowboy” Crowell,and the “River Rat” awardee, Lt. Doug “Magnus” Clark, and Colonel Jeff “Tank” Pattonare all smiles. Lt. Clarkalso won the Distinguished Student Award in his class, which was the 314th Fighter Squadron’s Class 18-BBH. The River Rat award is given to the student that the other pilots would most want on flying on their wing in combat. The River Rat designation came from the Vietnam conflict and is named after the Red River Valley (Association) of the Vietnam war, an organization to which many pilots who flew in combat over North Vietnam belong. Both of the above Colonels are active members in the FASF.

L to R: (Taken by Stephanie Durbin) – Col. Mario Campos, Capt. “Tucky” Durbin, Ric Lambart, and Roger Nichols. The two-finger salute being given by Mario and Tucky is that of the 314th Fighter Squadron.